Remember Audi's outrageous e-tron Concept? The R8-inspired
supercar project claimed a locomotive-like 3,319 lb-ft of torque, a 0-62 mph time of 4.8 seconds, and 134 miles of range—and like many
pie-in-the-sky concepts, the low-slung EV proved too futuristic for production.
Fast forward to the upcoming 2013 Geneva Motor Show, and the
Ingolstadt-based manufacturer will be displaying their latest interpretation of e-tron
technology, only this time it's far more feasibly packaged. Beneath the otherwise pedestrian
exterior of the A3 5-door hatchback is a plug-in hybrid drivetrain producing 204 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, which should scoot it to 62 mph in 7.6 seconds. The internal combustion portion of the proceedings is provided by a 1.4-liter, 150 hp TFSI powerplant, while remaining oomph is augmented by a 75 kW electric motor. In all-electric mode, this particular A3 is capable of achieving a hair over 80 mph, while covering a maximum range of 31 miles under EV propulsion... but here's the kicker: US fuel consumption is estimated at a positively moped-like 156.81 mpg.
Will the A3 e-tron become a reality? While John Pearley Huffman's 2009 test drive of the supercar concept left more questions than answers (and made a projected late 2012 launch seem rather unlikely) Glenn Derene's more recent scoot around Manhattan in an all-electric A3 e-Tron suggests this pipsqueak hatchback actually feels like an Audi, and has a decent chance of making production. So while Audi won't be taking the EV supercar route to future propulsion (a la Mercedes-Benz's SLS AMG Electric Drive), perhaps a production A3 e-tron will pave the way for future Audi exotics.